A Parliament of perverts? No - porn is just everywhere

The popularity of porn surfing in Westminster surely demonstrates without
doubt that it's everywhere (although it's totally not cool to look at it
during work). So why is the Government not helping teachers talk to kids
about it and the wider implications of the internet in sex education
classes, asks Dr Brooke Magnanti.

Almost half of MPs declared outside earnings in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests for 2014Photo: ALAMY

Back in February, data obtained by a Freedom of Information request about the websites visited from House of Commons computers included some real shockers… and to probably no one's surprise, porn featured strongly.

But let's be charitable. Let's say it was for "research purposes only". In that case, doesn't the lack of up-to-date guidance on issues like porn, relationships and consent in sex education make even less sense? The popularity of porn surfing in Westminster surely demonstrates without doubt that it's everywhere - so why do we keep evading the necessary issue of talking to kids about it?

When it comes to online erotica and the issues it raises in terms of where young people are going for their information, the genie is well and truly out of the bottle. Explicit material is widely accessible - and the so-called porn filters Cameron backed not only probably won't block all porn; ironically they'll also likely cut off vital sex education resources kids can access online.

Such a campaign is needed more than ever, especially considering the way the sexualisation debate has been favouring blocking over more education. A letter signed by myselfand many others last month warned that the potential effects on LGBT resources was worrying… and the lack of up to date sex education will only make the potential problems worse.

With blocks of some kind standard on most mobile browsers and sure to come in everywhere eventually, is all the more reason to sit down with sex educators and young people to make the curriculum fit for purpose now. The kids who are being failed by low sex and relationships education standards in the classrooms are the same people who'll be in the work force, and Westminster, in only a few years' time. We owe them something better than this.

Mr Cameron - we know the odds are good that someone in your office has looked at porn at some point. Why not ask them for some input on the matter? I bet it will be a real eye-opener.

Telegraph Wonder Women is campaigning for better sex education, urging David Cameron to bring sex and relationships education into the 21st century. Sign our petition at change.org/bettersexeducation or email us at bettersexeducation@telegraph.co.uk. Follow the campaign on Twitter: #bettersexeducation, @TeleWonderWomen.